RNA & Protein synthesis Turner College & Career High School  2017

Genes Genes are coded DNA instructions that control the production of proteins. Genetic messages can be decoded by copying part of the nucleotide sequence from DNA into RNA. RNA contains coded information for making proteins.

The Structure of RNA There are three main differences between RNA and DNA: The sugar in RNA is ribose instead of deoxyribose. RNA is generally single-stranded. RNA contains uracil in place of thymine.

Types of RNA There are three main types of RNA: Messenger RNA Ribosomal RNA Transfer RNA

Messenger RNA Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries copies of instructions for assembling amino acids into proteins. The three main types of RNA are messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA.

Ribosomal RNA Ribosomes are made up of proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Ribosome Ribosomal RNA The three main types of RNA are messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA. Ribosomal RNA is combined with proteins to form ribosomes.

Transfer RNA During protein construction, transfer RNA (tRNA) transfers each amino acid to the ribosome. Amino Acid The three main types of RNA are messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA.

Protein Synthesis DNA molecule DNA strand (template) mRNA Protein TRANSCRIPTION mRNA Codon TRANSLATION Protein Amino Acid

Transcription DNA is copied in the form of RNA. This first process is called transcription. The process begins at a section of DNA called a promoter.

Transcription RNA RNA polymerase DNA During transcription, RNA polymerase uses one strand of DNA as a template to assemble nucleotides into a strand of RNA. DNA

RNA Editing Some DNA within a gene is not needed to produce a protein. These areas are called introns. The DNA sequences that code for proteins are called exons.

RNA Editing The introns are cut out of RNA molecules. The exons are the spliced together to form mRNA. Exon Intron DNA Pre-mRNA mRNA Cap Tail Many RNA molecules have sections, called introns, edited out of them before they become functional. The remaining pieces, called exons, are spliced together. Then, a cap and tail are added to form the final RNA molecule.

The Genetic Code The genetic code is the “language” of mRNA instructions. The code is written using four “letters” (the bases: A, U, C, and G).

The Genetic Code A codon consists of three consecutive nucleotides on mRNA that specify a particular amino acid. A codon is a group of three nucleotides on messenger RNA that specify a particular amino acid.

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall The Genetic Code The genetic code shows the amino acid to which each of the 64 possible codons corresponds. To decode a codon, start at the middle of the circle and move outward. Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Translation Translation is the decoding of an mRNA message into a polypeptide chain (protein). Translation takes place on ribosomes. During translation, the cell uses information from messenger RNA to produce proteins. Nucleus mRNA

Translation The ribosome binds new tRNA molecules and amino acids as it moves along the mRNA. Lysine Phenylalanine tRNA Methionine During translation, or protein synthesis, the cell uses information from messenger RNA to produce proteins. The cell uses all three main forms of RNA during this process. Ribosome mRNA Start Codon

Translation direction Protein Synthesis Lysine tRNA During translation, or protein synthesis, the cell uses information from messenger RNA to produce proteins. The cell uses all three main forms of RNA during this process. mRNA Translation direction Ribosome

Translation The process continues until the ribosome reaches a stop codon. Polypeptide Ribosome tRNA During translation, or protein synthesis, the cell uses information from messenger RNA to produce proteins. The cell uses all three main forms of RNA during this process. mRNA

Genes & Proteins DNA mRNA Protein This diagram illustrates how information for specifying the traits of an organism is carried in DNA. The sequence of bases in DNA is used as a template for mRNA. The codons of mRNA specify the sequence of amino acids in a protein, and proteins play a key role in producing an organism’s traits.

Review Questions The role of a master plan in a building is similar to the role of which molecule? Messenger RNA DNA Transfer RNA Ribosomal RNA

Review Questions A base that is present in RNA but NOT in DNA is … Thymine. Uracil. Cytosine. Adenine.

Review Questions The nucleic acid responsible for bringing individual amino acids to the ribosome is … Transfer RNA. DNA. Messenger RNA. Ribosomal RNA.

Review Questions A region of a DNA molecule that indicates to an enzyme where to bind to make RNA is the … Intron. Exon. Promoter. Codon.

Review Questions A codon typically carries sufficient information to specify a(an) … Single base pair in RNA. Single amino acid. Entire protein. Single base pair in DNA.